Euro 2016 qualifiers: England and Rooney ready for Switzerland test

As England, odds-on 3/4 match favourites with Coral, prepare to welcome Switzerland to Wembley, there should be no trace of complacency around the capital. Three points in front of home fans will cement top spot in Euro 2016 qualifying Group E, making this clash crucial.

Roy Hodgson may have guided his Three Lions to a guaranteed place in the Euro 2016 finals, becoming the first side to do so apart from hosts France, after a ferocious display against amateurs San Marino, but the victory must be put into context.

The Swiss should be a much tougher test and a chance for fledglings to flex their muscles proper, with coach Hodgson stating early qualification might “give…the opportunity for experimentation”.

Manchester United midfield conductor Michael Carrick has been ruled out with injury, meaning Fabian Delph, substitute against San Marino and a Hodgson regular, should start as dictator from deep.

While skipper Wayne Rooney looked ruffled to be replaced last time out, having equalled Sir Bobby Charlton’s England all-time top scorer haul and looking a great shout of smashing it against the minnows, he now has the chance to be a record-breaker at Wembley.

Another striker to rid himself of pressure against San Marino was Tottenham hitman Harry Kane. Currently struggling for Spurs, the young-gun broke his drought with a lovely lob, and is an excellent 4/1 to have the final say, or evens in the anytime market.

Rapid Theo Walcott was also rampant, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick, so is 5/1 to score two or more once again, while Arsenal teammate Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is 2/1 to be on target anytime.

Other impressive performers for England included Jonjo Shelvey, who just made things tick. The Swansea City orchestrator can also be backed at 2/1 in the anytime market if he gets the nod again here.

Switzerland, 17/4 to stall England’s celebrations with victory, or 13/5 to split the spoils, should feel confident about giving their hosts a run for their money, though they have not defeated the English in any of their past nine attempts.

The Alpine nation boast potent poacher Josip Drmic, who has hit three in his last two outings, and is a tempting 11/4 to ripple the net again anytime, while Stoke City wing menace Xherdan Shaqiri is Switzerland’s top scorer in qualifying, so great value at 10/3 to do the same.

Betting tip: Keep the faith in forward Rooney at 10/3 to strike first again